Subshift

Overriding a fatigue block

When a worker's hours history causes them to breach a BLOCK-severity limit, a red "Fatigue block" badge appears on their slot in the shift group detail page. The worker cannot be considered for the shift until a manager reviews the breach and either finds an alternative worker or applies an override.

Screenshot placeholder
Shift group slots table with a red 'Fatigue block' badge on one slot, showing the breach details and override form.

When to override

Overrides are for genuine exceptional circumstances — for example, an emergency cover situation where no compliant worker is available and the operational need is unavoidable. They are not a routine workaround for scheduling problems.

Warning

Overriding a BLOCK breach places the worker on the shift despite the hours limit being exceeded. Ensure this is appropriate under the regulations that apply to your agency and sector before proceeding.

How to apply an override

  1. Open the shift group detail page for the shift in question.
  2. Locate the slot with the red "Fatigue block" badge.
  3. Click the badge to open the breach details panel.
  4. Review the listed breaches — each shows the limit type, the threshold, the worker's actual value, and the severity.
  5. Select an override reason from the dropdown. Available reasons are:
    • Exceptional circumstances — an unforeseen event requires cover that cannot be provided by a compliant worker.
    • Worker consent — the worker has explicitly consented to work beyond the limit, in line with any applicable opt-out provisions.
    • Error in records — the hours data used to calculate the breach is incorrect (e.g. a timesheet error). Correct the underlying records and re-evaluate where possible.
    • Regulatory exemption — a specific regulatory exemption applies to this shift (document the basis in the note field).
  6. Optionally add a free-text note to provide more detail. This note is stored permanently in the audit log.
  7. Click Apply override.

Once the override is applied, the badge changes to green "Override active". The breach details and override information remain accessible by clicking the badge.

Screenshot placeholder
The breach details panel with the override reason selected and a note entered, before applying the override.

What gets audited

Every override is recorded permanently in the audit log with:

  • The identity of the manager who applied the override
  • The date and time of the override
  • The reason selected
  • The free-text note (if provided)
  • The specific breaches that were overridden
  • The shift and slot the override applies to

You can view override events in the Audit log by filtering for fatigue override events.

Note

Overrides cannot be undone. If an override was applied in error, record a note in the audit log and ensure the worker's hours are correctly reflected going forward.

WARN breaches

Slots with an amber "Fatigue warning" badge have triggered a WARN-severity limit. These do not block placement and do not require an override — they are informational. Review them to ensure you are comfortable with the placement, but no action is required to proceed.

Related